Will the Seine be ready for the 2024 Olympics? An American swimmer calls the organizers ‘irresponsible’ for the contamination of the water

Swimming in the Seine has been largely banned since 1923 due to the unsanitary and unsafe nature of its water.

The Paris 2024 Olympics, however, want to revive the river as a swimming venue, with athletes competing in the waterway. But as the Olympics approach, American swimmers are questioning its cleanliness.

Ivan Puskovitch has earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for a long-distance open water race. The race is still scheduled to take place in the Seine River, but there are questions about whether the waters will actually be ready for the swimmers.

“Obviously health and safety has to be the priority,” Puskovitch said. “It’s quite disappointing that the Olympic organizers didn’t really plan to clean up this site as far in advance as they should have, to the point where the whole world is now wondering whether it will be done in time.”

Olympic organizers have not indicated a rescue location, but have given a rescue date in case the river does not meet health standards in time. Test results showed the river still contained large amounts of fecal bacteria, including 10 times the acceptable amount of E. coli, as of late June, according to Paris City Hall.

“It’s extremely irresponsible,” Puskovitch said. “I think even if there’s a 1% chance that the race can’t happen because of cleanliness or lack of cleanliness, you have to have a backup plan. It’s the Olympics.”

MORE: Parisians threaten to protest excrement following Olympic complaints

Will the Seine be ready for the Olympics?

The swimming events on the Seine — the 10km freestyle and the swimming portion of the triathlon — are still scheduled for the original dates.

The Olympics begin on July 26, so there is still time for organizers to clean the waterway to meet health standards.

The men’s triathlon is scheduled for July 30, and the women’s triathlon a day later, on July 31. The women’s 10K race is scheduled for August 8, while the men’s 10K race is scheduled for August 9.

No official announcement has been made as to whether the races will be delayed or moved to another venue starting July 3.